TOEFL GUIDES

UNIT 1SHORT CONVERSATIONSListening for Specific Information : WHO and WHAT

Speakers of short conversations in Part A of the Listhening Comprehensionsection usually talk about more than one person. This may be confusing since thequestions may ask about who does what. Make sure that you remember whichperson does what, and do not be confused by the different people mentioned.

StrategiesesWhen there are two persons mentioned in the second speaker’s line, distinguishwho does what.

Sample problemOn the recording, you will hear :Man : Do you there’s a new member in the band now ?Woman : Yes. I heard Doug recruited Ray as a new guitarist.Narrator : What does the woman say about the band ?

In your test book, you will read :(A) Doug became a new member of the band.(B) Doug was fired from the band.(C) Ray replaced Doug in the band.(D) Ray was hired as the band’s new guitarist.The woman mentions two people (Doug and Ray), and they are used to confuseyou in the options. Doug recruited Ray as a new guitarist means that Ray is thenew member, hired by Doug. Therefore, the best answer is (D) Ray was hired asthe band’s new guitarist.

UNIT 2SHORT CONVERSATIONSListening for Specific Information : WHO, WHAT, and WHERESome question in Part A of the Listhening Comprehension section usually ask youto draw conclusions about who the speakers are, what will probably happen next,and where the conversation probably takes place. The answers to these questionare not directly started in the conversations. However, there are clues that lead tothe correct answers.

Strategieses1. Listen for clues in the dialogs to identify who the speakers are. Draw aconclusion about the occupation of the speakers.Sample problemOn the recording, you will hear :Man : What did I miss during my absence ?Woman : One assignment and a quiz.Narrator : Who are the speakers ?In your test book, you will read :(A) Editors(B) Librarians(C) Teachers(D) StudentsThe clues my absence, one assignment, and a quiz in the conversation tell youthat the speakers are probably students. Therefore, the correct answer is (D)Students.

2. Listen to the second speaker to draw a conclusion about what he/she probablyintends to do.Sample problemOn the recording, you will hear :

Man : Excuse me, you`re playing that music much too loud. I can’tget to sleep ?Woman : Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize.Narrator : What will the woman probably do next ?In your test book, you will read :(A) Speak softly to the man.(B) Stop talking too much.(C) Turn down the volume of her music.(D) Play dofferent music.The man says that the woman is playing that music musch to loud. Thewoman says that she didn’t realize, so she will probably turn the volumedown. Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Turn down the volume of hermusic.

3. Listen for clues in the dialog to identify where the speakers are.Sample problemOn the recording, you will hear :Man : Hi, Jack. Is thus seat taken ?Woman : Oh, hi Danielle. No, sit down. Looks like the whole dorm ishere to have lunch today.Narrator : Where does this conversation probably take place ?In your test book, you will read :(A) In a cinema(B) In a dormitory cafetaria(C) In a college hall(D) In a departement storeThe clue Looks like the whole dorm is here to have linch tells you that thisconversation probably takes place at the cafetaria of a dorm. Therefore, thecorrect answer is (B) In a dormitory cafetaria.